Jul 21, 2015, 8:54 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: ISTFlyer

It's strange this thread has no Wiki, so here it is, created 7/21/2015

PLEASE READ THE OP Post first

For case related questions ( ex: Am I eligible, etc... ) contact[email protected] first before posting your question here.

TK free hotel room rules:

Quote:

A complimentary hotel accommodation (maximum 2 nights) will be provided to our valuable passengers when there are more than 10 hours (for economy cabin passengers) and 7 or more hours (for business cabin passengers) waiting during their international connecting flights due to Turkish Airlines’ schedule structure. However, if your destination can be reached by an alternative flight to your first flight and the waiting time is less, you cannot take advantage of the hotel service. This service is not applicable when there is a shorter connection available within the time frame mentioned above. The first and the connecting flights must be with Turkish Airlines. All passengers must hold a confirmed reservation for the first and the connecting flights. Complimentary accommodation will be arranged with Turkish Airlines’ corporate partners and will be provided through the “Hotel Desk” located after the customs’ check point at the arrival. Passengers must check for any visa requirements when entering Turkey. In the event where a visa is not granted, Turkish Airlines assumes no responsibility for providing complimentary hotel accommodation.

Note:
- You still need e-VISA to enter Turkish for a Tour or Hotel. The prices vary by countries ($60 USD for Canadian, $20 for USA, etc...)
You can apply here at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

Tour website is at http://www.istanbulinhours.com/
There are 3 tours offered (Schedule)

Tour 1 8:30am - 11am - Sightseeing Tour
Tour 2 9am - 3pm - Tour
Tour 3 9am - 6pm - Tour
Tour 4 12pm - 6pm - Tour
Tour 5 4pm - 9pm - Cultural Walk Tour

How to Apply - You need minimum 6 hours layover, max 24 hours. Both inbound and outbound flights must be on TK.

A Bosphorus cruise, with food and drinks, is available for business class passengers of more than 7 hour layover (€183 as of Nov. 2017)

Here's a list of the common hotels that are reported in this thread:

Marriott Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel (72% TripAdvisor – most common)
Akgün Istanbul Hotel (44% TripAdvisor–common – far from the airport)
Wow Airport Hotel (56% TripAdvisor–common - very close to airport)
DoubleTree
Wyndham İstanbul Petek (92% TripAdvisor)
Radisson Blu Conference & Airport Hotel (53% TripAdvisor)
Hilton Garden Inn
Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul International Airport
Gonen Hotel Istanbul
Pullman Istanbul Airport Hotel

FAQ 8: Free hotel/tour/cruise when connecting at IST

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Jul 24, 2016, 7:43 am

#511

justsawaufo

Join Date: Jun 2013

Posts: 630

I am flying J on 8/13, my connection time is 6h 50m stop Istanbul (IST), notice 6:50 and not 7

London (LHR) 6:00 PM flying to Istanbul (IST) 11:50 PM
6h 50m stop Istanbul (IST)
Istanbul (IST) 6:40 AM flying to Washington (IAD) 11:10 AM

Will I get a hotel room?
Also, is the hotel room inside the terminal? I don't want to leave the airport with the existing situation.

Jul 24, 2016, 9:23 am

#512

starflyergold

Moderator, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles & Accor ALL

Original Poster

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: BRU

Programs: TK*G, Accor ALL Platinum

Posts: 7,592

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsawaufo

I am flying J on 8/13, my connection time is 6h 50m stop Istanbul (IST), notice 6:50 and not 7

Unlikely but you can try. All hotels are outside. You can book the TAV transit hotel at your own expense or stay in the lounge.

Jul 24, 2016, 10:14 am

#513

boosh

Join Date: May 2016

Location: IST, LHR

Programs: TK E+, AA PLAT

Posts: 481

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsawaufo

I am flying J on 8/13, my connection time is 6h 50m stop Istanbul (IST), notice 6:50 and not 7

As starflyergold noted, to get to the hotel desk you would have to clear immigration which may or may not involve getting a visa depending on your nationality. I don't know if THY ever uses the TAV airside hotel but I doubt it.

If I were you I would head for the lounge and ask at the front desk and, if they in the very likely event turn your request down, head for the relaxation rooms as it sounds like you do qualify for one of them.

For a 6:50 hour layover I wouldn't leave the airport. When you factor in the time to clear immigration, transit to and from the hotel, checkin and check out, getting back to the airport you would have much time left to spend in the room anyways.

Jul 25, 2016, 4:30 am

#514

TPJ

Join Date: Jun 2008

Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador

Posts: 7,884

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsawaufo

London (LHR) 6:00 PM flying to Istanbul (IST) 11:50 PM
6h 50m stop Istanbul (IST)
Istanbul (IST) 6:40 AM flying to Washington (IAD) 11:10 AM

There is no 6.40am flight to IAD - please double check your itinerary (FYI the only flight departs at 2.45pm):

13AUGISTWAS¤TK«
13AUG SAT IST/Z‡3 WAS/EDT-7
TK RESPONSE ** DIRECT CONNECT PARTICIPANT **
13TK 7 C4 D4 Z7 K4 J4 I4 R4 Y7 ISTIAD 1445 1915 333 0
B7 M7 A4 H0 S0 O0 E0 Q0 T0 L0 V0 P0 W0 U0 X0 N0 G0

Jul 25, 2016, 4:32 am

#515

TPJ

Join Date: Jun 2008

Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador

Posts: 7,884

Quote:

Originally Posted by boosh

As starflyergold I don't know if THY ever uses the TAV airside hotel but I doubt it.

There were reports on this forum that Lounge Front Desk can book TAV Hotel for eligible C-class passengers.

Jul 25, 2016, 5:16 am

#516

SK AAR

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2004

Location: Denmark

Programs: TK Elite

Posts: 11,856

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsawaufo

I am flying J on 8/13, my connection time is 6h 50m stop Istanbul (IST), notice 6:50 and not 7

London (LHR) 6:00 PM flying to Istanbul (IST) 11:50 PM
6h 50m stop Istanbul (IST)
Istanbul (IST) 6:40 AM flying to Washington (IAD) 11:10 AM

I'm familiar with the concept of FF miles etc but what an odd itinerary (flying 3-4 hours in the opposite direction followed by a 7 hour layover at IST resulting in almost 24 hours to get to IAD) when you have multiple direct flights LHR-IAD

It was much cheaper flying via IST? - or the purpose was the increased FFP points/miles?

Anyway, there is a later TK LHR-IST flight (13AUG TK1984, 22:15 - 04:05) which means that you certainly will not get any free hotel from TK (you could have taken the later flight to reduce your layover time)

Last edited by SK AAR; Jul 25, 2016 at 5:29 am

Jul 25, 2016, 7:05 am

#517

PVDtoDEL

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: SEA/ORD/ADB

Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat

Posts: 7,763

Quote:

Originally Posted by TPJ

There is a 6:40AM flight on 14th Aug, and OP has an overnight in IST

Jul 25, 2016, 7:33 am

#518

justsawaufo

Join Date: Jun 2013

Posts: 630

Quote:

Originally Posted by SK AAR

I agree, its weird but saves my company about $900 on a business class tkt. I am also booked on a UA direct flight and might cancel the TK ticket as you stated, it doesn't make any sense, time wise and everything that is going on in Turkey these days. also the later flight is not A333/A332, hence the reason I choose it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVDtoDEL

There is a 6:40AM flight on 14th Aug, and OP has an overnight in IST

Yep - https://flightaware.com/live/flight/THY177

Jul 26, 2016, 7:47 am

#519

roadwarrier

Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: JNB

Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels

Posts: 1,307

Quote:

Originally Posted by TPJ

There were reports on this forum that Lounge Front Desk can book TAV Hotel for eligible C-class passengers.

Yes. Earlier this year, I approached the Lady taking booking for the relaxation rooms. I just needed about three hours of shut eye. She advised me to go to the front desk and they will arrange a room in the TAV hotel instead. My layover was just under 7 hours.

Jul 26, 2016, 1:56 pm

#520

Luga Luz

Join Date: Jul 2016

Posts: 1

Hello everyone! Is the Hotel Desk available at SAW airport? I have a 12 hs layover with change of airport always flying with TK

Jul 26, 2016, 3:17 pm

#521

boosh

Join Date: May 2016

Location: IST, LHR

Programs: TK E+, AA PLAT

Posts: 481

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadwarrier

You got a room at the TAV Airside despite your layover being less than 7 hours? Well done

Jul 26, 2016, 3:33 pm

#522

boosh

Join Date: May 2016

Location: IST, LHR

Programs: TK E+, AA PLAT

Posts: 481

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luga Luz

Hello everyone! Is the Hotel Desk available at SAW airport? I have a 12 hs layover with change of airport always flying with TK

I have not been to SAW in over three (?) years so I don't remember, but on the TK site they only state that it is located past immigration. I would assume that the normal rules for transit times and that it has to be an INT/INT connection would still apply for both airports though.

http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-in...rvice-requests

Jul 27, 2016, 11:15 am

#523

roadwarrier

Join Date: Jul 2013

Location: JNB

Programs: Flying Blue, Miles and Smiles, Hhonors, ICHotels

Posts: 1,307

Quote:

Originally Posted by boosh

You got a room at the TAV Airside despite your layover being less than 7 hours? Well done

I was totally surprised - at the end, I just had a bit of a sleep and shower then went back to the Lounge to work and feed.

Jul 27, 2016, 12:41 pm

#524

lento

Join Date: Dec 2014

Location: HEL

Programs: AY+Plat

Posts: 865

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadwarrier

I was totally surprised - at the end, I just had a bit of a sleep and shower then went back to the Lounge to work and feed.

Do lounge desk also book TAV airside hotel for Economy class tickets ? I will have 10.5 hour at night between two flights (HEL-IST-CLJ).

Jul 27, 2016, 1:04 pm

#525

alicity

Join Date: Jun 2016

Posts: 2

Hi All,

I guess I am in a slightly similar position. I have a class X ticket booked using United miles, flying from BOS to TBS on 8/12. I'm scheduled to arrive at 4:10 PM in IST (but looking at flightaware, it's potentially between 3:30-4 PM.) My connecting flight to TBS won't be until 1:40 AM. So currently as scheduled, I have 9.5 hour layover in IST which is a bit short of a free hotel and a little late for the last TK tour (leaves at 4 PM I believe.) I don't feel super comfortable going into the city on my own. If we arrive early, could I still get a hotel? Would I qualify for anything else? Or should I just find a lounge?